Project: Olympia Park, Selby
Type: Residential Led Mixed Use Development

Scope of Project

The development proposals entailed the mixed use urban extension of approximately 43 hectares of land to the east of Selby.

The proposed scheme is residentially led with 985 residential units, plus a new retail store, public house, fast food outlet, primary school, access road and road bridge over the Leeds – Hull railway line. Amenity provision includes allotments, sports pitches/associated facilities and other public open space. The proposals also include a new access road off the A63 across agricultural land and the refurbishment of an operational animal feed manufacturing plant.

The site is entirely located within Flood Zone 3a but benefits from the Selby flood defence scheme completed in 2008.

What We Did

We undertook a site specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and contributed to the Environmental Statement (ES) submitted in support of the planning application.

The FRA was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Flood risk from all sources (river, groundwater and surface water) was assessed including the risks associated with a breach or overtopping of the River Ouse flood defences. A package of flood risk mitigation measures was developed. Finally, a site-wide holistic surface water drainage scheme based on sustainable drainage principles was developed.

The Water Environment technical paper prepared for the ES covered flood risk, water quality (surface and groundwater), water resources, surface and foul water drainage and potable water supply. Weetwood worked closely with other consultants to ensure that the technical paper was integrated with technical papers covering Geology and Ground Conditions, Ecology and Nature Conservation, and Noise and Vibration.

Whilst producing the FRA and ES, we worked as part of a large consultant team and consulted with a range of stakeholders and statutory consultees including local residents, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, the Ouse and Derwent Internal Drainage Board, Selby District Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Outcome and Value Delivered

The measures identified in the FRA demonstrate that the residual risk of flooding from all sources can be mitigated to an acceptable level.

The surface water drainage strategy limits runoff from the developed site to pre-development rates, thereby ensuring that the development will not increase flood risk. The use of sustainable drainage elements also provided environmental betterment through habitat creation.

The ES demonstrated that the environmental impact of the development could be effectively managed and would not have a significant adverse environmental impact during construction or following completion of construction.

The project demonstrates our ability to successfully deliver flood and water management solutions for large and complex developments. The solutions developed minimised the risk of flooding whilst maximising the development potential of the site.

Weetwood has been retained by the client to advise on flood risk and drainage issues and to assist with ongoing promotion of the site.